What Comes After

'So it really is a political struggle… It's not my greatest strength, but I'm very good politically if I say so myself.'

It wasn't hard to connect the pieces as to why Earth had turned into garbage in the future. It was because of these selfish people who could only think for themselves.

Case had already decided that he would help Thomas achieve his goal, but he would like to get more from him rather than settling for the initial reward he was given, such as the freedom the Secretary wishes to give.

'Wait, now that this guy is very willing to be my backer, having my family protected should be the priority. I can't be worried every single time while I'm on Earth's camp.'

Case was worried about this problem that could arise once he was in the process of Earth's camp.

But now Thomas, a figure he could entrust with his family are there, is right beside him to give whatever he wants within his power.

Case thought his words for a while before saying.

"All right, I'll help you. But we have to make some arrangements between us first."

Thomas liked the idea as he agreed right away.

"All right, bring it on."

Case immediately demands on his side of things.

"First, I need protection for my family. I entrust you to protect them while I'm at the camp and probably what comes after that. I'm sure you've already run some background checks on me and didn't need to know more."

Thomas didn't fake a reaction of knowing Case and his background already.

All he did was give Case a resolute answer.

"Got it."

Case then went to his second demand.

"Lastly, whenever I want something, please provide for it. No questions asked. Of course, you can say something if it isn't within your power or out of line, but anything other than that should just remain between you and me."

Thomas seemed to raise a brow but didn't dwell too much on the matter. He reluctantly agreed on Case's terms without a single refutation.

"Okay, you can give your demands now."

Even though Thomas had already given his terms earlier, Case still wasn't sure if that was really it.

His demands were only two, but they required a lot of resources.

Thomas didn't seem like a bad guy, but that doesn't mean he wasn't going to exploit a child, which is why Case was asking him to be honest.

Thomas caught onto Case's words before answering.

"Even if you don't believe me now, that cooperation is the only thing I need. Well, you're not the only one I'm going to recruit. Additionally, if you and the other recruits had done well at the camp, it would increase my authority within the High Table, giving me a high chance to proceed with my plan."

'I see. This guy is already seeing the bigger picture.'

Case finally managed to see why Thomas had approached people from different districts across different countries, something he had openly done in the past.

He wanted an investment by recruiting representatives to push his plans even further.

Even though Case had no idea what he was planning, he already knew that something must've happened in the past as to why Thomas taking over High Table didn't work.

'Well, I'm here now. I can deduce what the progress will be along the way. For now, I should see him deal with this for himself.'

Case acted like he was in deep thought when he had already made his decision the moment he entered the vehicle, to make him not look suspicious of agreeing to the terms.

After a few minutes of idle thinking, Case acted like he had made a decision.

"Okay, I'll be your collaborator. Though I have one last question left."

Thomas continued to light up and said, "Go ahead." 

"What comes after High Table?"

Thomas' jovial face completely turned into a halt, becoming half confused and stunned. The people inside the limousine turned silent, which Case repeated.

"After your plan to take over High Table, what will you attain next?"

Thomas was in complete stillness, having no idea what to answer with that question.

Then, Case raises his finger up.

"If you don't have an answer, how about aiming for the top? Above everything else there is."

'All the people from the Sovereignty can go fuck themselves. Abandoning their loyal servants who only wanted to get paid because of some stupid love… Now that I'm here, I'm going to take everything from them.'

While Case was daydreaming, Thomas couldn't help but shiver watching the kid on his front, who seemed to have a greater ambition than everyone else he had met.

'This kid…'

Thomas smirked.

'Very interesting.'

…

Soon, the limousine parked in front of Case's house. Even though the streets were quiet and empty, those who could see it peeked their eyes into their windows.

It was no different from his family.

Case could see Edwards, Rose, and Yelena in a stupefied expression as they watched the long black limousine in front.

Case then looked at Thomas before lightly nodding.

"Thanks for the ride."

Thomas gave the same gesture before seeing Case leaving.

"Case Kellys."

Just as he was about to completely leave, Case heard Thomas call his name, and he turned his head back to look.

"I'm still confused how this deal went smoothly. Is there any reason why you agreed to make an agreement with me right away? Shouldn't it normally take a few days to come to a decision?"

There's no way two people would make a deal right away on their first meeting since they were all strangers.

But that only applies to the ones in the unknown.

Case is already on his second life, a gift given to him to do whatever he wanted with it. With his knowledge intact, he'll be able to change events the way he wants.

And he wanted to start with this.

Case smiled, "Let's just say you're a good guy."

Thomas muttered under his breath, "Good guy, huh."

The door of the limousine closed before it left.

Case started walking towards his house, meeting his family that he hasn't seen for a few weeks.